Crime
NDLEA Seizes N6.2bn Captagon, Opioids in Nigeria
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has seized more than 3.9 million opioid tablets and 47,200 Captagon pills in a series of operations at Lagos airport and elsewhere in Nigeria.
The agency puts the combined street value of the seizures at more than N6.2bn.
The operations also led to the arrest of a suspected cross-border drug trafficker and the recovery of cocaine, heroin and cannabis in Rivers and Ondo states, according to the NDLEA.
The latest seizures highlight two different but connected challenges for Nigeria: international trafficking of high-risk synthetic drugs and the continued movement of pharmaceutical opioids into the country.
Captagon hidden inside Ghanaian soap
NDLEA officials said they arrested 49-year-old Akinbile Kazeem Aikins at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, on 22 August after he arrived from Accra, Ghana, on an African World Airlines flight.
Officers searched his carton of locally produced bathing soap, commonly known as “Ghana Soap”.
They found 47,200 Captagon pills concealed inside the blocks of soap.
The agency estimates the consignment’s street value at more than N1.5bn.
Aikins allegedly told investigators that he was expected to deliver the drugs in northern Nigeria. That claim has not been independently verified and would need to be tested through further investigation and any subsequent court proceedings.
Captagon is an amphetamine-type stimulant. The name is widely associated with illicit fenethylline tablets, although much of the illicit Captagon market today consists of counterfeit tablets containing amphetamine and other stimulants.
The drug has gained notoriety because criminal and armed groups in the Middle East have been linked to its production and trafficking. But describing every Captagon shipment as directly funding jihadist groups would require evidence about the specific supply chain involved.
Nigeria first recorded a major Captagon seizure at Apapa Port in Lagos in 2021.
At the time, the NDLEA said it had intercepted 451,807 tablets, weighing about 74kg and valued by the agency at N6bn. The drugs were concealed inside marble-polishing machines.
The agency reported another Captagon interception in Kwara in April 2026, showing that the substance has not disappeared from trafficking routes into Nigeria.
Nearly four million opioid tablets abandoned at Lagos airport
The larger seizure by volume involved 3,900,030 tablets of Tramaking 225mg and Tapentadol 250mg.
The NDLEA said the consignments weighed a combined 2,787.40kg and had an estimated street value of more than N4.6bn.
Three consignments contained 900,000 Tramaking tablets weighing 815.40kg. The agency said they arrived on RwandAir flights from Bangladesh.
A fourth consignment contained 3,000,030 Tapentadol tablets weighing 1,972kg and arrived on Qatar Airways from Amsterdam.
Nobody came forward to claim the shipments.
NDLEA officers, Customs officials and other stakeholders formally examined and retrieved the consignments on 28 August after keeping them under surveillance.
The abandoned shipments raise questions beyond the immediate seizures.
Authorities will need to establish who imported the drugs, who financed them, their intended recipients and how the consignments passed through the international supply chain.
Those questions matter because seizures remove drugs from circulation, but they do not necessarily dismantle the networks responsible for bringing them into Nigeria.
US returnee arrested over imported cannabis
The NDLEA also reported the arrest of 31-year-old Sowunmi David Oludotun at Ikate, Lekki, Lagos, on 19 August.
The agency said Oludotun had arrived to collect 3.35kg of “Loud”, a potent form of cannabis, imported from the United Kingdom.
As with the other arrests, the allegations remain subject to investigation and the legal process.
Cocaine and heroin found inside safe in Rivers
In Port Harcourt, Rivers State, NDLEA officers raided the Abuja Down/Up area, which the agency described as a notorious drug location.
They recovered a fireproof iron safe and later opened it with a welding machine.
Inside, officers found 237g of Colorado cannabis, 316g of cocaine and 10g of heroin, according to the agency.
The discovery illustrates another part of Nigeria’s drug market: local distribution networks operating alongside international trafficking routes.
More than a tonne of cannabis seized in Ondo
NDLEA officers also reported two major cannabis seizures in Ondo State.
Three suspects — Oyedele Daniel, 42; Taye Saliu, 36; and Kehinde Saliu, 36 — were arrested on 28 August along the Ipele-Idoani road.
The agency said they were travelling in a truck marked KRE 120 XB carrying 728kg of cannabis, locally known as skunk.
Two other suspects, Uche Joseph, 35, and Godwin Umeh, 21, were arrested in Aponmu forest on 26 August.
Officers recovered another 341kg of cannabis in that operation.
The two seizures total 1,069kg.
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Why the opioid seizures matter
The large quantity of opioids is significant because Nigeria has faced a persistent problem with non-medical use of pharmaceutical drugs.
A UN Office on Drugs and Crime survey estimated that 4.6 million people in Nigeria used opioids in the year before the 2018 survey. Overall, it estimated that 14.4% of people aged 15 to 64 had used a drug other than alcohol or tobacco during the previous year.
The figures are old and should not be treated as a measure of current drug use in 2026. But they demonstrate why opioid trafficking has remained a major public-health and law-enforcement concern.
The NDLEA has continued to report large opioid seizures.
In April 2026, for example, the agency said the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt granted an interim forfeiture order covering 17 containers containing 19.6 million opioid pills and more than 2.49 million bottles of codeine syrup. The agency valued those consignments at more than N33.6bn.
That case suggests that the latest airport seizure is part of a much larger trafficking problem rather than an isolated incident.
Enforcement alone cannot solve the problem
The NDLEA’s current strategy combines drug seizures and arrests with prevention and treatment programmes.
Its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign was launched in 2021 and has expanded into schools, workplaces, religious institutions and communities.
The agency has previously acknowledged that enforcement alone is not enough and has developed treatment and rehabilitation programmes alongside its anti-trafficking operations.
That distinction is important.
Removing thousands or millions of tablets from circulation can reduce supply, but long-term progress also depends on preventing new users, treating people with drug-use disorders and disrupting the finances of trafficking organisations.
The government has also increasingly targeted the assets and proceeds of suspected drug barons, with the NDLEA saying its offensive against trafficking organisations includes prosecutions and asset forfeiture.
What happens next?
The immediate test will be whether the latest arrests lead investigators to the wider networks behind the shipments.
For the Captagon seizure, investigators will need to establish the origin of the tablets, their intended destination and whether the arrested suspect was acting alone or for a larger trafficking organisation.
The abandoned opioid consignments present a similar challenge. Identifying the importers and intended recipients could provide more useful intelligence than simply destroying or forfeiting the drugs.
The NDLEA has urged its officers to maintain pressure on traffickers who increasingly conceal drugs in ordinary household goods.
For the public, however, the wider issue is not only how many drugs are seized. It is whether enforcement agencies can turn individual interceptions into successful prosecutions, dismantle trafficking networks and reduce the demand that keeps the market profitable.
The latest operation therefore provides evidence of active enforcement, but its longer-term success will depend on what happens after the seizures: the investigations, prosecutions, financial tracing, prevention and treatment that follow.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has reported major drug seizures across several Nigerian states, including 1.1 tonnes of cannabis in Cross River, 1,027kg of cannabis in Kaduna and more than 350,000 opioid tablets intercepted at Lagos airport.
The operations also led to arrests linked to suspected drug distribution networks, including the re-arrest of an 83-year-old woman in Abia State, a South African woman accused of trafficking cannabis through Rivers State and a suspect found with rifles and ammunition in Plateau State.
The agency disclosed the seizures in a statement issued on Sunday, 11 October 2026, detailing interdiction operations carried out at airports, along highways and at suspected drug storage locations.
Major cannabis seizures recorded in Cross River, Kaduna
In Cross River State, NDLEA operatives arrested 46-year-old Adama Inuwa during a raid on Iyala Nkun village in Ikom Local Government Area on 4 October.
The operation resulted in the recovery of 181 bags of cannabis weighing 1,100kg, alongside 17.15kg of cannabis seeds, according to the agency.
In Kaduna State, officers on patrol along the Zaria-Kaduna Expressway arrested 29-year-old Mohammed Musa with 31 jumbo bags and 775 blocks of cannabis, with a combined weight of 1,027kg.
A separate operation in Edo State led to the interception of a Toyota Camry allegedly conveying 1,049 blocks of compressed cannabis weighing 702.83kg at Otuo, Owan East Local Government Area, on 5 October.
Three suspects — Monday Orji, 52, Monday Lawal, 40, and Precious Uduegele, 20 — were arrested in connection with the seizure.
In Ondo State, NDLEA officers recovered 29 bags of cannabis weighing 290kg from a suspected hideout in the Shasha area of Akure, leading to the arrest of 21-year-old Happy Endurance.
Another raid in Oba-Ile, Akure, resulted in the arrest of 42-year-old Tunde Adebayo and the seizure of 35 bags of cannabis weighing 351kg.
Lagos airport interceptions uncover opioid and synthetic cannabis shipments
At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, NDLEA operatives intercepted 354,000 tablets of tapentadol, an opioid pain medicine, in a shipment arriving from Pakistan.
The nine-carton consignment, weighing 307.20kg, arrived aboard a Royal Air Maroc flight on 29 September and was examined jointly by relevant officers on 6 October.
The agency also reported the discovery of 70 parcels of Colorado, a synthetic cannabinoid weighing 75.90kg, inside six Ghana-Must-Go bags in consolidated cargo from the United Kingdom.
The shipment had arrived on 29 September and was subsequently monitored as investigators traced those allegedly involved in collecting the bags.
A clearing agent, John Edrah, 54, was arrested on 30 September. Other arrests followed, including Uber driver Taofiq Ajibola, 54, who was allegedly collecting one of the bags from a logistics company in Mafoluku, Oshodi.
The statement also named Adetunji Adebayo and Kazeem Damola Dosunmu, 48, among those arrested in connection with the remaining bags.
According to the NDLEA, Ajibola said his consignment had been sent by a UK-based associate identified as Lukman Sa’idu, while Dosunmu attributed his shipment to another UK-based man identified as Yusuf.
These accounts were reported by the agency and have not been independently verified.
South African woman arrested over 32.74kg cannabis shipment
At the Port Harcourt International Airport in Omagwa, Rivers State, NDLEA operatives working with the Nigeria Customs Service arrested a South African woman, Gebashe Sithandiwe Jessie, over an alleged attempt to import 32.74kg of cannabis.
The agency said 30 parcels of Thai Loud, a cannabis variety, were concealed in two travelling bags.
The suspect reportedly travelled from Thailand through Doha aboard a Qatar Airways flight before arriving in Port Harcourt. The NDLEA said she admitted to previous trafficking through other African countries and was expanding her route to the city.
Her account, as reported by the agency, could not be independently confirmed.
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83-year-old woman re-arrested in Abia
In Abia State, NDLEA officers arrested 83-year-old Uloma Uchechi Sunday at her residence in Ite-Uzo, Umuaguma, Obingwa Local Government Area, on 7 October.
The agency said quantities of methamphetamine and Colorado were found tied around her waist with a wrapper. It also alleged that she operated a drug distribution point frequented by people involved in criminal activities.
Sunday had previously been arrested alongside her 32-year-old daughter, Chisom Uchechi, on 17 May 2025.
According to the NDLEA, officers recovered 50g of methamphetamine, 522g of skunk cannabis, 260g of fresh cannabis leaves and 12g of tramadol during that operation.
The agency said both women pleaded guilty and were sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment or a fine of ₦200,000 each. They paid the fines and were released.
The latest arrest represents a new allegation; the circumstances of the case and any subsequent court proceedings will determine its legal outcome.
Tramadol, diazepam intercepted in Taraba, Kano
In Taraba State, two men, Abdulrasheed Mohamed, 31, and Abubakar Saidu, 37, were arrested in Chanchanji village, Wukari Local Government Area, on 9 October.
The operation, supported by soldiers, led to the seizure of 166,200 tablets of tramadol, each labelled 225mg, with a combined reported weight of 107kg.
In Kano State, a stop-and-search operation along the Kano-Maiduguri Road on the same day resulted in the arrest of 32-year-old Yahaya Musa.
Officers reportedly recovered 24,990 capsules of tramadol, 50,000 tablets of diazepam and 22,000 tablets of Exol-5.
In another Lagos operation, officers arrested Musbau Balogun Adekunle in Orile on 6 October and recovered 32.51kg of skunk cannabis and 52.65kg of cannabis seeds, weighing 85.16kg combined.
Rifles, ammunition recovered in Plateau raid
A raid on the residence of 45-year-old Christian Chukwudi Uju at Rukuba Road, Jos, Plateau State, on 8 October led to the recovery of suspected illicit drugs, firearms and ammunition.
The NDLEA listed the items seized as 47g of methamphetamine, two pump-action rifles, one locally made gun, 199 live cartridges, five rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and one round of 9mm ammunition.
The seizure adds a firearms dimension to the agency’s reported drug enforcement operations, although the statement did not establish whether the weapons were connected to any specific violent crime.
NDLEA calls for sustained drug control efforts
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended personnel in Lagos, the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Port Harcourt International Airport, Taraba, Kano, Kaduna, Edo, Cross River, Ondo and Plateau for the operations.
He urged officers nationwide to sustain what the agency described as a balanced approach to drug control.
The NDLEA also reported drug-prevention awareness programmes in schools, religious institutions and communities during the week. Participating institutions included Progressive Grammar School in Tede, Oyo State; Ehugbo Technical College in Afikpo, Ebonyi State; Baptist High School in Lambata, Niger State; and schools in Lagos, Kano and Ogun states.
The reported seizures span cannabis, synthetic cannabinoids, opioids and other controlled medicines, highlighting the range of substances confronting enforcement officers. The agency’s statement did not provide a consolidated estimate of the street value of the drugs seized or the total number of suspects expected to face prosecution.
NigeriaUpdates will continue to follow developments in the cases, including any court proceedings and further information released by the relevant authorities.
A community alert has led to the arrest of a man accused of removing an iron pole from the Mosa/Balogun River area in Ogun State, according to the state’s Community, Social Orientation and Safety Corps, known as So-Safe Corps.
The suspect, identified as Friday Amos Gabriel, was arrested on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, after the Chairman of New Life Community Development Association (CDA), identified as Akinbobola, alerted security officials to a man reportedly carrying an iron pole within the community.
So-Safe Corps said the incident highlights the role of residents and community associations in reporting suspected theft and vandalism of public or community infrastructure.
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How the suspect was traced
According to a statement issued by the corps’ State Commander, Cmdr. (Dr.) Soji Ganzallo, and signed by its Director of Information and Public Relations, ACC Adegunwa Adegbuyi, the community chairman contacted the Area Commander for Ilogbo Area Command, ACC Odukunle Oloyede, at about 6:30am.
The chairman reportedly told the commander that a man had been seen carrying an iron pole and was questioned about where he obtained it.
So-Safe Corps said the suspect subsequently stated that the pole had been removed from the Mosa/Balogun River area.
He was then arrested and taken into custody for further investigation.
Items recovered
The corps said an iPhone, Premier Lotto tickets valued at ₦4,900, a measuring tape, a torchlight, an iPhone charging cord, two T-shirts and two razor blades were recovered from the suspect.
The items, together with the suspect, were handed over to SWAT Base 5 for further investigation and what the corps described as necessary action.
The authorities have not established in the statement whether all the recovered items were connected to the alleged vandalism.
What happens next?
The case is expected to be investigated by the relevant security authorities, who will determine the circumstances surrounding the removal of the iron pole and whether the suspect should face prosecution.
An arrest or allegation does not by itself establish criminal guilt, and the suspect would be entitled to due process.
So-Safe urges residents to stay alert
So-Safe Corps commended the New Life CDA chairman for reporting the incident and urged residents to provide information about suspected vandalism, theft and other criminal activities.
The corps said timely information from members of the public could help security agencies respond more quickly to threats to community infrastructure.
Five people have been charged before the Ota Magistrate Court in Ogun State after police officers were allegedly attacked while transporting a handcuffed suspect to a station in the Ota area.
The Ogun State Police Command said the incident happened on 2 October 2026 around The Bells area of Iyana-Iyesi, Ota, after officers intercepted a suspect allegedly carrying a large quantity of substances suspected to be Indian hemp.
According to the command, the suspect escaped after a group of people allegedly ambushed the patrol team and attacked the officers with cutlasses, stones and bottles.
The police said some officers were injured during the confrontation, while their operational vehicle was also damaged.
How the suspect escaped
The police said officers were taking the handcuffed suspect to the station when they came under attack.
The alleged assault disrupted the operation and enabled the suspect to escape, according to the command.
The incident has prompted further police operations in the area as officers seek to identify and arrest other people allegedly involved in the attack.
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Five suspects charged
Following what the police described as intelligence-led operations, five suspects were arrested.
They were identified as Morenikeji Badmus, 36; Adedoja Segun, 40; Jeremiah Odise Ugbede Onride, 49; Mike Stephen, 28; and David Odeh, 32.
The suspects were arraigned on allegations including conspiracy, serious assault on police officers, obstruction of lawful duty and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.
The police said efforts were continuing to arrest other suspects who allegedly fled after the incident.
The allegations against the five suspects have not been established by a court.
Why the case matters
The incident highlights the risks that can arise when members of the public physically confront law enforcement officers during an ongoing operation.
It also raises questions about the security of police personnel and suspects being transported during arrests, particularly where members of the public attempt to interfere with an operation.
The police have urged residents to avoid physical confrontations with officers and use lawful channels to challenge actions they believe are improper.
Police warning
The Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, CP Bode Ojajuni, said the protection of officers carrying out lawful duties remained a priority for the command.
He urged members of the public to channel grievances through established legal procedures rather than resorting to violence.
The command said investigations and efforts to apprehend other suspects were still ongoing.
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